There’s something haunting about watching the classic crucifixion scene in Ben-Hur. Even though the film is 60-years-old, there are certain scenes and sounds that remain indelible in my mind:
- The sound and feel of rowing in a Roman prison ship; increasing the pace from normal to “battle speed” and then “attack speed” and finally “RAMMING SPEED!”
- The amazing spectacle of the chariot race which is far more gripping than any CGI could ever depict.
- The dull thud of the heavy timbers holding the body of Jesus landing in a perfectly-sized crater designed to put to death the person it held.
Although it’s probably been 30 years since I’ve watched the movie, those sights and sounds have been forever etched into my memory. I realized that as I viewed Ben-Hur recently, wondering if the movie held up. No question: these decades may have diminished my specific memories, but not the power of the story or its ability to move me!
Haven has been offering a DVD copy of the 1959 edition of this deeply moving video. For me and my house, it should be in every Christian home’s library of movies! You can still get a copy with a simple gift on the Haven site: http://www.haventoday.org. Even better, if you’re a Haven Today station partner, let me know and I’ll get you a copy.
This isn’t just an “Easter movie.” It’s an any-day-of-the-week kind of telling of the Gospel. And it’s all about Jesus!
I have the box set that came out a few years ago that had both the silent and 1959 versions of the film.And a couple of years ago got the Blu ray combo of the film and the Ten Commandments film as well..The film restoration was a marvelous Job..And don’t forget it’s landmark film score that to this day is consdered among the Best of the Best scores in the history of film.